The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation - Volume 05 Central and Southern Europe

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation - Volume 03

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation Volume 07. England's Naval Exploits Against Spain

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation, Vol. 10 Asia, Part III by Richard Hakluyt (2006-10-13)

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation - Volume 11

The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation - Volume 09 - Asia, Part II

When this commandement shall come vnto you, know you, that the Consull ofthe English Nation in our port of Patrasso, hath giuen vs to vnderstand,that formerly we granted him a commandement that hauing paied once customefor the currants bought to lade in their ships, they shall not pay itagain: according to which they bringing it to the port of Patrasso,informing thereof Mahomet the Nadir of Lepanto, he contrary to the tenorthereof and former order, doth againe take another custome of him, andrequiring him to know why he so did contrary to our commandement, heanswered vs, he tooke it not for custome, but for a present. Moreouer thesayd Consull certified vs how that the said Nadir contrary to ancientcustome doth not take for the kings right as he ought currents, but willhaue of the poore men money at his pleasure, and therewith buyeth currentsat a very low price, which after he doth forcibly sell to vs at a muchhigher price, saying it is remainder of the goods of the king, and by thismeanes doth hurt the poore men and do them wrong. Wherefore I command youby this my commandement, that you looke to this matter betweene thisConsull, the Nadir, and this people, and do therein equally according toright. And see that our commandement in this matter be obserued in suchsort, as they hauing once in the port paied full custome, do not pay itagaine, neither that this Nadir do take any more money of them by the wayof present, for that therein it is most certaine he doth them iniuriecontrarie to the Canon. And if with you shall be found to the value of oneAsper taken heretofore wrongfully of them, see it presently restored tothem, without any default. And from hencefoorth see that he doe neither himnor his people wrong, but that he deale with them in all things accordingto our Canon, that the Consull and his hereafter haue no occasion any moreto complaine here in our Court, and that the Nadir proceed in gatheringcorants of the people after the old order and not otherwise. This know youfor certaine, and giue credit to this my commaundement, which hauing readdeliuer againe into the Consuls handes. From Constantinople the yeere ofMahomet 993.

A commaundement of the Grand Signior to the Cadie or Iudge of Alexandria.

The Embassadour for the Queenes most excellent Maiestie of Englandcertified vs howe that at the death of one of their marchants in Alexandriacalled Edward Chamberlaine, the French Consul Vento sealing vp his fondegoand chamber, tooke vnder his seale al his goods and merchandise into hispower, and required our commandement that all the goods might be restoredagaine according to iustice vnto the Englishmen: wherefore we commaund youthat hauing receiued this our commandement, you assemble those of the onepart and of the other together, and if it be not passed fiue yeeres, if youhaue not looked to it heretofore, now carefully looke to it, and if it beaccording to their Arz or certificate presented vnto vs, that the foresaidFrench Consull Vento hath wrongfully taken into his power the goods of thedeceased English marchant vnder his seale, that then you cause him torestore all the said goods and marchandise sealed by him, and make goodthat which is thereof wanting vnto the English marchants: doe in thismatter according to iustice, and credite this our seale.

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A commandement to the Bassa of Alexandria.

The Embassadour for the Queenes most excellent Maiesty of England bysupplication certified vs, how that notwithstanding our priuilege grantedthem to make Consuls in al parts of our dominions to gouerne their nationaccording to their owne custome and law, to defend them against all wrongsand iniuries whatsoeuer: yet that the French Consull affirming to thee thatart Bassa, that they were vnder his banner, and that he should gouernethem, and ouersee their businesse, and hauing got a new priuilege,mentioning therein the English men to be vnder his banner, did by allmeanes molest and trouble them, insomuch that their Consull oppressed withmany iniuries fled away, and that thou which art Beglerbie didst maintainethe French Consul herein: whereupon the Embassadour required ourcommandement, that they might haue iustice for these iniuries: wherefore wecommaunde thee that hauing receiued this our commandement, you examinediligently that this priuilege, and send the copie thereof hither, and ifit be found that the French Consull Vento hath by subtilitie got theaforesaid priuilege written, that you then see him punished, and suffer nothereafter the French or Venetian Consuls to intermeddle with theirbusinesse. Obey this our commaundement, and giue credit to the seale.

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A commaundement to the Byes, and Cadies of Metelin and Rhodes, and to all the Cadies and Byes in the way to Constantinople.

To the Saniakbies of Rhodes and Metelin, to the Saniacbies bordering on thesea coast, and to the Cadies in Rhodes and Metelin, and to the Ermins inthe other ports and coastes. This commaundement comming to you, know thatthe Embassadour of England required of vs our commaundement that theirships comming to Chio, and from thence to Constantinople; no man shouldhurt them or offer any violence, either in the way on the sea or on theland, or in the portes. I haue commaunded, that their ships comming to anyof the said places or ports with marchandise, if they themselues will, theymay sell their commodities, and as much, and as little as they will, and ifit be in a place where custome was not woont to be taken, hauing taken thecustome due by the olde Canon you suffer them not to bee iniuried, eitherin the way, portes, or other places, but that they may come in quietnesseto Constantinople, and certifie vs of those that be disobedient to ourcommaundement, and giue credite to our seale. And hauing read this ourcommandement, giue it to them againe.

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A commaundement for Aleppo.

When my letters shal come vnto you, know that the Queene of England herEmbassador by supplication certified how that before this time we had giuenour commaundement that the summe of 70 ducats, and other marchandizebelonging to one William Barret in Aleppo, now dead, saying he was aVenetian, should be giuen to the Venetians. And if they did find that hewas not a Venetian, my will was that they should send all his goods andmarchandize to our port into my treasuries. But because that man was anEnglishman, the Embassadour required that the sayde goods might not bediminished, but that they might be restored to one of their Englishmen.This businesse was signified vnto vs in the nine hundred ninety and fourthyere of Mahomet, and in the moneth of May the 10. day. This businessepertaineth to the Englishmen, who haue in their handes our priuilege,according to which priuilege being in their hands let this matter be done.Against this priuilege do nothing, aske nothing of them, but restore toeuery one his goods. And I command that when my commandement shall comevnto you, you doe according to it. And if it be according as theAmbassadour certified, that they haue the priuilege, peruse the same, lookethat nothing be committed against it and our league, and let none troublethem contrarie to it, restore them their goods according to iustice, andtake heede diligently in this businesse: if another strange marchant bedead, and his goods and marchandize be taken, if he be neither Venetian,nor Englishman, let not his goods perish among you. Before this time one ofour Chauses called Cerkes Mahomet chaus was sent with our commaundement tosende the money and marchandize of a dead marchant to our port, andhitherto no letters or newes is come of this matter, for which you shall bepunished. Wherefore beware, and if he that is dead be neither Venetian norEnglishman in veritie, doe not loose the goods of the said dead marchant,vnder the name of a Venetian or Englishman, doe not to the discommoditie ofmy treasurie, for after it will be hard to recouer it.

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The voyage of Master Henry Austell by Venice and thence to Ragusa ouer land, and so to Constantinople: and from thence by Moldauia, Polonia, Silesia and Germanie to Hamburg, &c.

The 9. of Iune we tooke shipping at Harewich and the next day landed at theRamekins in the Isle of Walcheren with very stormy weather, and that nightwent to Middleburch in the same Island.

The twelft we tooke shipping for Holland, and the 13. we landed atSchiedam: and the same day went to Delft by boat, and so that night to theHage.

The 17. we tooke shipping at Amsterdam, and the 18. we landed atEnckhuysen.

The 19. we tooke shipping and by the Zuydersee we passed that day the Vlie,and so into the maine sea; And the next day we entred into the riuer ofHamburg called the Elbe.

The 21. we came to anker in the same riuer before a towne of the bishop ofBreme called Staden, where they pay a certaine toll, and specially forwine, and so that night wee landed at Hamburg, where we stayde three dayes.

The 24. wee departed from Hamburg in the company of Edward Parish Marchant,and that day wee baited at Wyntson, and so ouer the heathes we leftLunenburg on the left hand, and trauailed all that night.

The 25. we met with Master Sanders vpon the heathes, and passed by a towneof the duke of Lunenburg called Geftherne, [Footnote: Gifhorn, on the riverAller.] and from thence through many waters, wee lay that night within anEnglish mile of Brunswig.

The 27. we lay at Halberstat, which is a great towne subiect to the bishopof that towne.

The 28. we baited at Erinsleiben: and there wee entred into the duke ofSaxon his countrey: and the same night we lay at a town called Eisleben,where Martine Luther was borne. [Footnote: 10th November, 1483.]

The 29. we passed by Mansfield, where there are many Copper mines: and sothat night went to Neuburg vpon the riuer of Sala; [Footnote: Saale.] andat that time there was a great faire.

30. we baited at a proper towne called Iena vpon the same riuer and thesame night wee lay at Cone vpon that riuer.

The first of Iuly we baited at Salfeld: and the same day we entred firstinto the great woods of fine trees, and that night to Greuandal.

The second to dinner to Neustat.

The 3. day to dinner at Bamberg: and before wee came to the towne weepassed the riuer of Mayne that runneth towards Arnfurt, and that night toForchaim.

The 4. we came to Nurenberg, and there stayed two dayes.

The 6. to bed to Blayfield. [Footnote: Pleinfeld.]

The 7. we passed without Weissenburg to dinner at Monhaim, and that nightwe passed the riuer of Danubius at Tonewertd, [Footnote: Donauwerth.] andso to be to Nurendof.

The 8. we came to Augspurg, otherwise called Augusta, vpon the riuer ofLech.

The 9. we lay at Landsberg vpon the said riuer, in the duke of Bauarscountrey,

The 10. to dinner at Suanego, [Footnote: Shongau.] and that night toHambers [Footnote: Amergan.] against the mountains, where the small toyesbe made.

The 11. to dinner to Parcberk, [Footnote: Partenkirch.] and that night toSefelt in the Archduke of Austria his countrey.

The 12. to dinner at Inspruck, and that night to bed at Landeck, wherethere is a toll, and it is the place where Charles the fift and his brotherFerdinand did meet. And there is a table of brasse with Latine letters inmemorie thereof.

The 13. we passed by Stizen, and dined at Prisena, and so that night toClusen. [Footnote: Autstell thus crossed the Alps by Trent and not by theBrenner, which would seem the most direct route to Venice.]

The 14. to dinner at Bolsan and to bed at Neumark, and by the way we passedthe dangerous place, where so many murthers haue bene committed.

The 15. to dinner at Trent: That day we entred the borders of Italy, thatnight to Lenigo. [Footnote: Probably a misprint for Levigo.]

The 16. to dinner at Grigno, where the last toll of the Emperour is: and sowe came by Chursa, which is a streight passage. And the keeper thereof isdrawne vp by a cord into his holde. And that night we went to Capana to bedin the countrey of the Venetians.

The 17. to dinner at castle Franco: by the way we stayed at Taruiso, andthere tooke coche, and that night came to Mestre to bed.

The 18. in the morning we came to Venice, and there we stayed 15. dayes. Inwhich time the duke of Venice called Nicholas de Ponte died, and we saw hisburial. The Senators were continually shut vp together, as the maner is, tochuse a new duke, which was not yet chosen when we departed from thence.

The 2. of August at night wee did embarke our selues vpon the Frigate ofCattaro, an hauen neere Ragusa.

The 3. we came to a towne in Istria called Citta noua.

The 4. we came to Parenzo, and so that night to Forcera of the bishop.

The 5. we passed by Rouigno: and a litle beyond we met with 3. Galies ofthe Venetians: we passed in the sight of Pola; and the same day passed thegulfe that parteth Istria from Dalmatia. [Footnote: Gulf of Quarnero.]

The 6. of August we came to Zara in Dalmatia, a strong towne of theVenetians: and so that night to Sebenico, which standeth in a marueilousgoodly hauen, with a strong castle at the entrie thereof.

The 7. we came to Lezina, and went not on shoore, but traueiled all night.

The 8. we passed by a very well seated towne called Curzola, which standethin an island of that name.

The 9. in the morning betimes we landed at Ragusa, and there stayed threedaies, where we found many friendly gentlemen.

The 11 being prouided of a Ianizarie we departed from Ragusa in the companyof halfe a dosen Marchants of that towne: and within 6 miles we entred intothe countrey of Seruia. So trauailing in barren and craggie mountaines forthe space of foure dayes, wee came by a small Towne of the Turkes calledChiernisa, being the 14. of the moneth; and there wee parted from theMarchants.

The 16. we dined in a Cauarsara hi a Towne called Focea, [Marginal note:Or, Fochia.] [Footnote: Fotchia.] being then greatly infected with theplague.

The 17. we lay by a Towne called Taslizea. [Footnote: Tachlidcha.]

The 20. we came to Nouibazar.

The 21. we parted from thence, trauailing stil in a countrey very illinhabited, and lying in the fields.

The 22. we passed within sight of Nicea. [Sidenote: Or, Nissa.]

The 23. we passed in sight of another towne called Circui: [Footnote:Sharkei.] and about those places wee began to leaue the mountaines, and toenter into a very faire and fertile countrey, but as euill inhabited as theother, or worse.

The 27. we came to Sophia, where wee stayed three dayes, being ourIanizaries home: and by good chance we lay in a Marchants house of Ragusa,that came in company with vs from Nouibazar; and also wee had in company,euer since wee came from Focea, a Turke which was a very good fellow, andhe kept with vs till we came very neere Constantinople.

The first of September we came to Philippopoli, which seemeth to be anancient towne, and standeth vpon the riuer of Stanuch. [Footnote: TheMaritza.]

The 4. we came to Andrinopoli, a very great and ancient towne, whichstandeth in a very large and champion [Footnote: Flat--"the Champion fieldswith corn are seen," (Poor Robin, 1694).] countrey, and there the greatTurks mother doth lye, being a place, where the Emperours of the Turkeswere wont to lye very much.

The 5. we lay in one of the great Cauarzaras that were built by MahometBassha with so many goodly commodities.

The 6. we lay in another of them.

The 8. we came to Siliueri, [Footnote: Silivri.] which by report was thelast towne that remained Christian.

The 9. of September wee arriued at the great and most stately Citie ofConstantinople, which for the situation and proude seate thereof, for thebeautifull and commodious hauens, and for the great and sumptuous buildingsof their Temples, which they call Moschea, is to be preferred before allthe Cities of Europe. And there the Emperour of the Turkes then liuing,whose name was Amurat, kept his Court and residence, in a marueilous goodlyplace, with diuers gardens and houses of pleasure, which is at the leasttwo English miles in compasse, and the three parts thereof ioyne vpon thesea: and on the Northeast part of the Citie on the other side of the waterouer against the Citie is the Towne of Pera, where the most part of theChristians do lye. And there also wee did lye. And on the North part of thesaide Towne is the Arsenal, where the Galies are built and doe remaine: Andon the Southside is all the Ordinance, artilerie, and houses of munition.Note that by the way as wee came from Ragusa to Constantinople, wee left onour right hand the Countreys of Albania, and Macedonia, and on the lefthande the countreys of Bosnia, Bulgaria, and the riuer of Danubius.

The 14. of September was the Turkes Beyram [Footnote: Bairam is thedesignation of the only two festivals annually celebrated by the Turks andother Mohammedan nations. The first is also called _Id-at-Fitr_, "thefestival of the interruption," alluding to the breaking of the universalfast which is rigorously observed during the month Ramazan. It commencesfrom the moment when the new moon of the month Shewel becomes visible, theappearance of which, as marking the termination of four weeks of abstinenceand restraint is looked for and watched with great eagerness. The secondfestival, denominated _Id-al-Asha_ or _Kurban Bairam_, "the festival of thesacrifices," is instituted in commemoration of Abraham offering his sonIsaac and is celebrated seventy days after the former, on the 10th ofZulhijjah, the day appointed for slaying the victims by the pilgrims atMecca. The festival lasts four days. At Constantinople the two bairams arecelebrated with much pomp. Amurath III, son of Selim II.] that is, one oftheir chiefest feastes.

The 16. we went to the blacke Sea called Pontus Euxinus, and there vpon arocke we sawe a piller of white Marble that was set vp by Pompeius: andfrom thence we passed to the other side of the water, vpon the shore ofAsia and there we dined.

The 25. we departed from Constantinople.

The 29. we came to an ancient Towne called Cherchisea, that is to say,fourtie Churches, which in the olde time was a very great City, now full ofscattered buildiugs.

The 4. of October wee came to Prouaz, one dayes iourney distant from Varnavpon the Blacke Sea.

The 9. we came to Saxi [Footnote: Tsakchi, S. E. of Galatz.] vpon the riuerof Danubius.

The 10. we passed the said riuer which in that place is about a mile ouer,and then we entered into the countrey Bogdania [Marginal note: Or,Moldauia]: they are Christians but subiects to the Turkes.

The 12. we came to Palsin vpon the riuer Prut. [Footnote: Faltsi.]

The 14: wee came to Yas [Footnote: Jassy.] the principall Towne ofBogdania, where Peter the Vayuoda prince of that Countrey keepeth hisresidence, of whom wee receuied great courtesie, and of the gentlemen ofhis Court: And he caused vs to be safe conducted through his said Countrey,and conueyed without coste.

The 17. we came to Stepanitze. [Footnote: Stephanesti, on the frontierbetween Moldavia and Bessarabia.]

The 19. we came to Zotschen, [Footnote: Chotin.] which is the last towne ofBogdania vpon the riuer of Neister, that parteth the said countrey fromPodolia.

The 20. we passed the riuer of Nyester and came to Camyenetz [Footnote: onthe river Smokriz.] in the countrey of Podolia, subiect to the king ofPoland: this is one of the strongest Townes by nature and situation thatcan be seene.

The 21. we came to Skala. [Footnote: A market town on the Podhoree, S. ofZeryz.]

The 22. to Slothone, or Scloczow. [Footnote: Czorkorw, on the Sered.]

The 24. to Leopolis [Footnote: Lemberg, also called Leopol.] which is inRussia alba, and so is the most part of the countrey betwixt Camyenetz andit. And it is a towne very well built, well gouerned, full of trafique andplentifull: and there we stayed fiue dayes.

The 30. we baited at Grodecz, and that night at Vilna [Footnote: ProbablySandova--Wisznia.]

The 31. we dined at Mostiska, [Footnote: Mosciska.] and that night atRodmena. [Footnote: Radymno.]

The first of Nouember in the morning before day wee passed without theTowne of Iaroslaw, where they say is one of the greatest faires in allPoland, and chiefly of horses, and that night to Rosdnoska. [Footnote:Rosnialov.]

The second to diner at Lanczut, [Footnote: Lanaif.] at night to Retsbou.[Footnote: Rzeszow.]

The thirde to Sendxizow, [Footnote: Sedziszow.] at night to Tarnow, andthat night wee mette with the Palatine Laski.

The fourth to Vonuez, [Footnote: Woinicz.] and that night to Brytska.[Footnote: Brzesko.]

The fift to Kuhena. [Footnote: Perhaps, Kozmice.]

The 6. to Cracouia the principall Citie of all Poland: at which time theKing was gone to Lituania: for he doeth make his residence one yeere inPoland, and the other in Lituania. Cracouia standeth on the riuer ofVistula.

The 9. wee departed from Cracouia, and that night wee came to a villagehard by a Towne called Ilkusch, [Footnote: Olkusz.] where the leade Minesare.

The 10. wee passed by a Towne called Slawkow: where there are also leadeMines, and baited that day at Bendzin, [Footnote: Bedzin.] which is thelast tome of Poland towards Silesia; and there is a toll.

[Sidenote: Salt digged out of mountaines in Poland] Note that all theCountreys of Poland, Russia alba, Podolia, Bogdania, and diuers otherCountreys adioyning vnto them, doe consume no other salt but such as isdigged in Sorstyn mountaine neere to Cracouia which is as hard as anystone; it is very good, and goeth further then any other salt. That nightwe lay at Bitom, [Footnote: Beuthen.] which is the first Towne of Silesia.

The 12. we passed by a great towne called Strelitz, and that night we layat Oppelen vpon the riuer of Odera.

The 13. we passed by Schurgasse, [Footnote: Schurgast.] and that night weelay without the towne of Brigk: [Footnote: Brieg.] for wee coulde not beesuffered to come in by reason of the plague which was in those partes indiuers Townes.

The 14. we passed by Olaw, [Footnote: Oblau.] and that night we came to theCitie of Breslaw, which is a faire towne, great, well built and well seatedvpon the riuer of Odera.

The 16. we baited at Neumargt. [Footnote: Neumark.]

The 17. wee passed by Lignizt and by Hayn, [Footnote: Hainau.] and thatnight to Buntzel. [Footnote: Buntzlau.]

The 18. we passed by Naumburg through Gorlitz vpon the riuer of Neiss, andthat night lay without Reichenbach.

The 19. wee passed by Baudzen and Cannitz, [Footnote: Camenz.] and thatnight to Rensperg.

The 20. we passed by Hayn, by Strelen, were we should haue passed the riuerof Elbe, but the boate was not there, so that night we lay at a townecalled Mulberg.

The 21. we passed the said riuer, wee went by Belgern, by Torga, byDumitch: and at night to Bretch.

The 22. wee passed the Elbe againe at Wittenberg, which is a very strongtowne, with a good Vniuersitie: and that day we passed by Coswig.

The 23. wee passed through Zerbst in the morning, and that night atMagdeburg, a very strong Towne, and well gouerned as wee did heare. Themost part of the Countrey, after wee were come one dayes iourney on thisside Breslawe to this place, belongeth to the Duke of Saxon.

The 24. wee passed by a castle of the Marques of Brandenburg calledWolmerstat, and that night we lay at Garleben.

The 25. wee lay at Soltwedel.

The 26. at Berg.

The 27. we baited at Lunenborg, and that night we lay at Winson.

The 28. we came to Homborg, and there stayed one weeke.

The 5. of December wee departed from Hamborg, and passed the Elbe by boatebeing much frosen, and from the riuer went on foote to Boxtchoede, being along Dutch mile off, and there we lay; and from thence passed ouer land toEmden.

Thence hauing passed through Friseland and Holland, the 25. being Christmasday in the morning we came to Delft: where wee found the right honourablethe Earle of Leicester with a goodly company of Lords, knights, gentlemen,and souldiers.

The 28. at night to Roterodam.

The 29. to the Briel, and there stayed eight dayes for passage.

The fift of Ianuary we tooke shipping.

The 7. we landed at Grauesend, and so that night at London with the helpeof almightie God.

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The Turkes passeport or safeconduct for Captaine Austell, and Iacomo Manuchio.

Know thou which art Voyuoda of Bogdania, and Valachia, and other ourofficers abiding and dwelling on the way by which men commonly passe intoBogdania, and Valachia, that the Embassador of England hauing two Englishgentlemen desirous to depart for England, the one named Henry Austel, andthe other Iacomo de Manuchio, requested our hignesse letters of Safeconductto passe through our dominions with one seruant to attende on them.Wherefore wee straightly charge you and all other our seruants by whom theyshall passe, that hauing receiued this our commandement, you haue diligentcare and regard that they may haue prouided for them in this their iourney(for their money) all such necessary prouision as shalbe necessary forthemselues and their horses, in such sort as they may haue no causehereafter to complaine of you. And if by chaunce they come vnto any place,where they shal stand in feare either of their persons or goods, that thenyou carefully cause them to bee guarded with your men, and to be conductedthrough all suspected places, with sufficient company; But haue greatregard that they conuey not out of our countrey any of pur seruiceablehorses. Obey our commandement, and giue credite to this our Seale.

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A Passeport of the Earle of Leicester for Thomas Foster gentleman trauailing to Constantinople.

The returne of Master William Harborne from Constantinople ouer land to London 1588.

I departed from Constantinople with 30. persons of my suit and family the3. of August. Passing through the Countries of Thracia, now called Romaniathe great, Valachia and Moldauia, where ariuing the 5. of September I wasaccording to the Grand Signior his commandement very courteouslyinterteined by Peter his positiue prince, a Greeke by profession, with whomwas concluded that her Maiesties subiects there trafiquing should pay butthree vpon the hundreth, which as well his owne Subiects as all othernations answere: [Sidenote: The letters of the Prince of Moldauia to theQueene. Letters of the Chanceler of Poland to the Queene.] whose letters toher Maiestie be extant. Whence I proceeded into Poland, where the highChanceler sent for mee the 27. of the same moneth. And after most honorableintertainment imparted with me in secret maner the late passed and presentoccurrents of that kingdome, and also he writ to her Maiestie.

Thence I hasted vnto Elbing, where the 12. of October I was most friendlywelcomed by the Senate of that City, whom I finde and iudge to befaithfully deuoted to her Maiesties seruice, whose letters likewise vntothe same were presented me. No lesse at Dantzik the 27. of that moneth Iwas courteously receiued by one of the Buroughmasters accompanied with twoothers of the Senate, and a Ciuil doctor their Secretarie. After goingthrough the land of Pomer I rested one day at Stetin, where, for that theduke was absent, nothing ensued. At Rostoke I passed through the Citiewithout any stay, and at Wismar receiued like friendly greeting as in theother places: but at Lubeck, for that I came late and departed early in themorning, I was not visited. At Hamburg the 19. of Nouember, and at Stoadthe ninth of December in like maner I was saluted by a Boroughmaster andthe Secretarie, and in all these places they presented mee sundry sorts oftheir best wine and fresh fish, euery of them with a long discourse,congratulating, in the names of their whole Senate, her Maiesties victoryouer the Spaniard, and my safe returne, concluding with offer of theirready seruice to her future disposing. Yet the Dantziks after my departurethence caused the Marchants to pay custome for the goods they brought withthem in my company, which none other towne neither Infidels nor Christianson the way euer demanded. And notwithstanding the premisses, I was mostcertainly informed of sundry of our nation there resident that most of theHansetowns vpon the sea coasts, especially Dantzik, Lubeck, and Hamboroughhaue laden and were shipping for Spaine, great prouision of corne, cables,ropes, powder, saltpeter, hargubusses, armour, iron, leade, copper, and allother munition seruing for the warre. Whereupon I gather their fainedcourtesie proceeded rather for feare then of any good affection vnto herMaiesties seruice, Elbing and Stoad onely excepted, which of duetie fortheir commoditie I esteemed well affected.

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The priuilege of Peter the Prince of Moldauia graunted to the English Marchants.

Peter by the grace of God prince of Valachia and Moldauia; we signifie bythese presents to all and singuler persons, whom it doth or shall concerne,that we haue made this agreement with the worthy gentleman WilliamHareborne Ambassador of the right high and mighty prince, the LadyElizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, France and Ireland, withthe most puissant and mightie Emperour of the Turkes: To witte, that fromhencefoorth it shalbe lawfull for her highnesse subiects and all herMarchants, to remaine, conuerse, buy, sel, bargaine and exercise all suchthings, as the trade of marchandise, and humane societie and vse requireth,without any hinderance or let: the right of our Custome alwayes reserued;That is, that they pay three ducats vpon all such things as amount to theprice of one hundred ducats. Which by this our ordinance we command to besurely and firmely obserued; For the more assured testimony whereof ourseale is hereunto annexed. Giuen in our Campe the 27. of the moneth ofAugust in the yeere of our Lord 1588.

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The letters of Sinan Bassa chiefe counsellour to Sultan Murad Can the Grand Signior, to the sacred Maiestie of Elizabeth Queene of England, shewing that vpon her request, and for her sake especially, hee graunted peace vnto the King and kingdome Of Poland.

Most glorious, and the most resplendent of women, most select Princesse,most gratious Elizabeth Queene of the valiant followers of Iesus in thefamous kingdom of England, most wise gouernesse of all the affaires andbussinesses of the people and family of the Nazarens, most sweet fountaineof brightnesse and glory, most acceptable cloud of raine, inheritresse andLadie of the blessednesse and glory of the renowmed kingdome of England, towhom in humble wise all men offer their petitions: wishing of the almightieCreator most happie increase and prosperous successe vnto all yourMaiesties affaires and actions, and offering vp mutuall and perpetuallvowes worthy of our familiarity; with eternall prayses: In most friendlymanner we signifie vnto your princely Highnesse, that certaine yeeres pastthe most mightie Cesarlike maiestie of the Grand Signor waged vnspeakeablewarres with Casul-bas the Prince of the Persians, in regarde of whichwarres he would not goe in battell against any other places; and for thatcause certaine theeues in the partes of Polonia called Cosacks, and othernotorious persons liuing in the same partes ceased not to trouble andmolest the subiects of our most mightie Emperour. But now hauing finishedand brought to some good issue his affaires in Persia, determining topunish the saide malefactors of Poland, and for that purpose committing anarmy vnto the Beglerbeg of Grecia, and the yeere last past, sending hisimperiall commaundement vnto the Prince of the Tartars, he hath forraged,molested, and layed waste some part of the kingdome of Poland, and theCosacks and other notorious offenders haue receiued condigne punishment.Which the king of Poland perceiuing sent two Embassadours to his imperiallHighnesse signifying, that he would hunt out the said malefactors, andinflict most seuere punishments vpon them, and also that he would betterhis gift, which he hath for many yeeres heretofore ordinarily sent vnto theporch of his imperiall Highnesse. Howbeit his imperiall maiestie (vpon whomthe almightie creator hath bestowed so great power, and who vouchsafeth togiue eare vnto all humble suppliants) reiecting the supplication of theKing of Poland, determined againe to send his armie against the said king,and by the helpe of the Almightie creator, vtterly to subuert andouerthrowe his kingdome. But your Maiesties Embassadour resident in theblessed and glorious porch of his imperiall Highnesse interposing himselfeas a mediatour, signifying that from the partes of Poland you werefurnished with corne, gun-powder, mastes of ships, guns, and othernecessaries, and crauing peace on the behalfe of the kingdome and king ofPoland, and making intercession, that the said king might not be molestednor troubled by the meanes of the Grand Signior, and declaring that thiswas your Maiesties most earnest desire; so soone as the report andintercession of your Maiesties Embassadour was signified vnto the GrandSignor, for your sake, vnto whom all honour and fauourable regard is due,vpon the condition aforesaid, namely, that the wicked Cosacks might besought out and grieuously punished, or that their offences might beremitted for the value of some small gift, vpon this condition (I say) theletters of his imperiall Highnesse were sent vnto the king of Poland.Howbeit had not this conclusion of league and amitie beene sollicited onthe behalfe of your Maiestie, his imperiall Highnesse would neuer hauevouchsafed the same vnto the kingdome of Poland. But for your Maiestiessake his imperiall Higrrnesse hath exhibited this so singular a fauour vntothe said king and kingdome of Poland. And hereof your Maiestie and the kingof Poland ought cenainely to be perswaded. We wish your Maiestie mosthappily and well to fare. Giuen at Constantinople in the ende of the monethcalled Sabaum, in the yeere of our sacred prophet Mahomet 998, and in theyeere of Iesus 1590, the 12 of Iune.

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A letter written by the most high and mighty Empresse the wife of the Grand Signior Sultan Murad Can to the Queenes Maiesty of England, in the yeere of our Lord, 1594.

Let the beginning of our discourse be a perfect writing in the foure partsof the world, in the name of him which hath indifferently created suchinfinite numbers of creatures, which had neither soule nor body, and of himwhich mooueth the nine heauens, and stablisheth the earth seuen times oneaboue another, which is Lord and king without any deputy, who hath nocomparison to his creation and worke, and is one inestimable, worshippedwithout all comparison, the most high God, the creator, which hath nothinglike vnto him, according as he is described by the Prophets, to whose powerno man can attaine, and whose absolute perfection no man may controll; andthat omnipotent creatour and fellow-worker, to whose Maiesty all theProphets submit themselues, among whom the greatest, and which hathobtained greatest fauour, the garden of Paradise, the beame of the Sunne,the beloued of the most high God is Mahomet Mustafa, to whom and to hisadherents and followers be perpetuall peace, to whose fragrant sepultureall honour is performed. He which is emperour of the seuen climats and ofthe foure parts of the world, the inuincible king of Graecia, Agiamia,Hungaria, Tartaria, Valachia, Rossia, Turchia, Arabia, Bagdet, Caramania,Abessis, Giouasir, Siruan, Barbaria, Alger, Franchia, Coruacia, Belgrade,&c. alwayes most happy, and possessour of the crowne from twelue of hisancestours; and of the seed of Adam, at this present emperour, the sonne ofan emperour, preserued by the diuine prouidence, a king woorthy of allglory and honour, Sultan Murad, whose forces the Lord God alwayes increase,and father of him to whom the imperiall crowne is to descend, the paradiseand woonderfull tall cypresse, worthy of the royall throne, and true heireof the imperiall authority, most woorthy Mehemet Can, the sonne of SultanMurad Can, whose enterprise God vouchsafe to accomplish, and to prolong hishappy dayes: on the behalfe of whose mother [Marginal note: This Sultana ismother to Mahumet which now reigneth a Emperour.] this present letter iswritten to the most gracious and most glorious, the wisest among women, andchosen among those which triumph vnder the standard of Iesus Christ, themost mighty and most rich gouernour, and most rare among womankinde in theworld, the most gracious Queene of England, which follow the steps of thevirgine Mary, whose end be prosperous and perfect, according to your heartsdesire. I send your Maiesty so honorable and sweet a salutation of peace,that al the flocke of Nightingales with their melody cannot attaine to thelike, much lesse this simple letter of mine. The singular loue which wehaue conceiued one toward the other is like to a garden of pleasant birds:and the Lord God vouchsafe to saue and keepe you, and send your Maiesty anhappy end both in this world and in the world to come. After the arriuallof your honourable presents, from the Court of your Maiesty, your Highnesseshall vnderstand that they came in such a season, that euery minuteministred occasion of long consolation by reason of the comming of yourMaiesties Ambassadour to the triumphant Court of the Emperour, to our sogreat contentment as we could possibly wish, who brought a letter from yourMaiestie, which with great honour was presented vnto vs by our eunuks, thepaper whereof did smell most fragrantly of camfor and ambargriese, and theincke of perfect muske; the contents whereof we haue heard very attentiuelyfrom point to point. I thinke it therefore expedient, that, according toour mutuall affection, in any thing whatsoeuer may concerne the countreyswhich are subiect to your Maiesty, I neuer faile, hauing information giuenvnto me, in whatsoeuer occasion shall be ministred, to gratifie yourMaiesty to my power in any reesonable and conuenient matter, that all yoursubiects businesses and affaires may haue a wished and happy end. For Iwill alwayes be a sollicitour to the most mighty Emperour for yourMaiesties affaires, that your Maiesty at all times may be fully satisfied.Peace be to your Maiesty, and to all such as follow rightly the way of God.[Sidenote: Ann. Dom. 1594] Written the first day of the Moone of RabieLiuol in the yere of the Prophet, 1002.